A representative from the state of Missouri was charged in a 20-count charge that alleged she administered treatments fraudulently, including to Covid-19, who falsely claimed to have stem cells.
Patricia Ashton Derges, 63, reportedly gave so-called “regenerative” treatments to clients who came to the Ozark Valley Medical Clinic in search of treatment for various illnesses, according to an unsealed grand jury indictment on Monday.
The clinic offered its patients amniotic fluid that claimed to have stem cells, but was actually acellular, without stem cells.
After Derges made false claims on a Springfield television station in April that stem cells could treat Covid-19, an investigation was launched, the FBI said in a statement on Monday.
And on Facebook, Derges said that “his clinic’s incredible treatment offers a potential cure for patients with COVID-19 that is safe and natural,” the prosecution said.
She surrendered on her charge on Monday and was released after a first appearance in federal court, according to the US Attorney’s Office.
Derges’ actions were a betrayal of the trust instilled in her both as a health professional and as a government employee, said Special Agent in Charge Timothy Langan, of the FBI’s Kansas City office.
“Derges vowed not to cause harm as a health professional and was elected to serve the people, not to deceive them,” said Langan. “She used her position for personal gain and undermined public confidence.”
According to the prosecution, Derges administered treatment to patients with the promise that stem cells would help alleviate a range of health problems, from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to erectile dysfunction. Derges, an attending physician who graduated in medicine from the Caribbean Medical University of Curaçao in May 2014, reportedly gave the treatments herself.
The clinic obtained amniotic fluid through the University of Utah for about $ 244.00 per ml. Derges then charged his patients $ 950 to $ 1,450 per ml of amniotic fluid, the charge said, with some paying up to $ 6,500 for what they thought were stem cell treatments.
The patients paid Derges approximately $ 191,815 for the amniotic fluid that did not contain stem cells, the prosecution claims.
Federal prosecutors in the Western District of Missouri said Derges exchanged several e-mail messages in 2019 with the Director of Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Utah, who told her the fluid did not contain stem cells.
Derges was hit with eight charges of electronic fraud in relation to charging patients, who were not identified, for allegedly false treatment with stem cells. Each charge comes with a maximum fine of $ 250,000 and 20 years in prison.
She also faces two charges for making “materially false, fictitious and fraudulent” statements about her treatment with amniotic fluid for federal investigators last year, each charge leading to five years in prison.
Prosecutors also claimed that Derges prescribed oxycodone and Adderall to people online without proper medical evaluation. She faces 10 charges of distribution over the internet without a valid prescription, each with a maximum of 20 years in prison.
“This defendant has abused her privileged position to get rich through deception,” Attorney General Tim Garrison said in the FBI statement. “The prosecution alleges that she lied to her patients and federal agents. As an elected official and health care provider, she deserves to be considered a high standard. “
Derges, a Republican, was elected in November for a two-year term after running unopposed for District 140’s state seat. She did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent to her government email address.
In a Facebook post on Monday night, Derges quoted the biblical story of David and Goliath while claiming that God would be on his side.
“Lies and distorted words mean nothing. Truth and righteousness mean everything, ”said the post. “I can stand before God and know that He will smile at me. Goliath cannot take this away no matter how hard he tries. “
Stacie Calhoun Bilyeu, Derges’ lawyer, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News. She told the Kansas City Star that she was “limited” in what she could say about the matter and that her client has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
“Dr. Derges, despite what he looked like yesterday, was not found guilty or convicted of anything, ”said Bilyeu.
